Robert Colescott

Robert Colescott (Robert Hutton Colescott; 1925 – 2009) was an artist from the USA, known for his unique and satirical approach to painting. His work, often conveying his exuberant, comical, or bitter reflections on being African American, is associated with the Neo-expressionism movement. Colescott’s style is characterised by a cartoonish approach to figuration with a bright colour palette. His compositions question conventional aesthetic portrayals of race and gender, and call attention to the history of violent imagery in Western art and popular media. His technique involved the use of acrylic on canvas, and his work often reimagined iconic artworks, replacing traditional figures with subjects with a dark skin complexion. His art is both a critique and a celebration of the culture and history of the USA.